Module Catalogue 2024/25

LAW3016 : Evidence

LAW3016 : Evidence

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Kay Crosby
  • Lecturer: Ms Samantha Ryan
  • Owning School: Newcastle Law School
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Code Title
LAW2160Criminal Law
LAW2260Criminal Law
Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

n/a

Aims

To acquire knowledge and understanding of the substantive law of evidence.

To further develop critical and legal analytical skills.

Outline Of Syllabus

Introduction to the Law of Evidence

General principles of admissibility

Witness testimony

Character evidence

Confessions of silence

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students will be able to

- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main policies and principles of evidence;

- develop a critical appreciation of how evidence has developed in the context of social change.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Subject specific skills

Ability to analyse and discuss the legal framework of the law of evidence

Legal problem-solving. Ability to identify relevant issues, apply relevant concepts, principles and rules, identify evidence needed, make judgements and reach supported conclusions on the basis of sound and informed reasoning;

Ability to write and speak with care and precision in the analysis and synthesis of the law

Ability to structure argument and analysis

Cognitive Skills

Analysis. Identifying and ordering issues by relevance and importance.

Synthesis of materials from diverse sources.

Critical judgement. Discernment between the merits or otherwise of particular arguments.

Evaluation. Making a reasoned choice between competing solutions or arguments.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion601:0060:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture101:0010:00Face to face weekly lecture.
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials131:0013:00A combination of short recordings of lecture material and text published on Canvas each week.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching51:005:00Face to face seminars, geared up towards helping students develop the skills needed to do
Guided Independent StudySkills practice40:151:00Multiple choice quizzes to allow students to self-test understanding of factual content
Guided Independent StudySkills practice40:302:00Four thirty-minute discussion board activities relating to specific prompts
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops21:002:00Q&A sessions taking place towards the end of the year to allow students to ask questions
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1071:00107:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures and Canvas quizzes enable students to develop their substantive knowledge base regarding the law of evidence, as well as introducing them to criticisms of the state of the law. Individual and group activities assist students in the development of their problem-solving skills, and of their skills in constructing a tightly focused answer: all such tasks require students’ work to be relatively short, and this will require focus on their part in order to complete the activities to a high standard. These tasks will introduce a formative assessment to the module. Individual and group activities, when combined with larger group seminar discussions, are designed to enhance students’ ability to analyse, synthesis, evaluate and offer critical judgements regarding the current state of the law of evidence.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1M100One question. (part A, 2250 words). Students required to include a critical commentary (part B, 750 words)
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessment regime will give students an opportunity to demonstrate the intended knowledge and skill outcomes associated with this module. A balance is struck between demonstrating doctrinal skill and critical ability, by requiring students to complete an essay question and a problem question, and by requiring them to include a critical commentary in their problem question answer.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.